The Basilica of Santa Pudenziana (Spanish—Filipino: Santa Potenciana) is the eldest Roman Catholic basilica built in the fourth century, located in Rome, Italy. The original shrine building dates back from the second century and is dedicated to Saint Pudentiana, sister to Praxedes the Martyress and both daughters of Saint Pudens (whom mentioned by Saint Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy, 4: 21). It is one of the national churches in Rome designated for the Philippines and is both piously and culturally associated with the Filipino peoples. It is designated a basilica by the privilege of "immemorial status".
The basilica was the original residence of the Pope during the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius until 313 A.D. when the Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and offered the Lateran Palace. The historicity of the site is purported to be an adjective used to describe the previous house of the Roman senator, Lord Pudens, the Domus Pudentiana. Accordingly, the first recorded proprietor of the established basilica was a Christian merchant named Pastore.
